System and Method for Maintaining Recipe Ratios when Measuring Ingredients for Culinary Combinations

ABSTRACT

A system and method for assisting a user in assembling a culinary combination according to a recipe. The system comprises a scale and a computing device configured to communicate with the scale. The system displays information regarding ingredients of the recipe and displays a progress of assembling the culinary combination based on the information from the scale. In some embodiments, a bar graph is displayed with a bar proportional to the measured amount of an ingredient of the recipe compared to a target amount for the ingredient. In some embodiments, the system displays a build column of one or more recipe blocks, representing actions or ingredients of the recipe. An active recipe block is displayed with a portion of the recipe block displayed in a different manner in proportion to the measured amount of an ingredient of the recipe compared to a target amount for the ingredient.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 14/339,126, filed 23 Jul. 2014 which is acontinuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/918,984,filed 16 Jun. 2013, which in turn claims the benefit of, and priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/800,252 filed on 15 Mar. 2013, all incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to weight scales. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to interactive systems of weight scales andcomputing devices.

BACKGROUND

Recipes are commonly used to create culinary combinations of food ordrink. As used herein, culinary combinations will include creations ofmixology and of cooking. The foundations of all recipes are culinaryratios. A culinary ratio is a fixed proportion of one or moreingredients of a recipe relative to another. These ratios arefundamental to the crafts of cooking and mixology. Understanding thatrecipes are ratios allow one to consistently scale or adjust recipes andto fix a recipe if one makes a mistake and adds too much of a certainingredient.

When preparing food or drinks, it is best to use weight rather thanvolume for measuring most ingredients. Properties of a culinarycombination are more closely dependent on the ratio of the weights ormasses of ingredients, than on their volumes. For a culinary combinationto have the desired properties, the ratios of the masses or weights ofthe ingredients must be achieved. Volumetric measurements may beconvenient approximations for weight, but it the weight or mass of theingredients that is desired. Measuring by volume can introduceinaccuracies. The volume of a certain mass of a material can changebased on environmental conditions such as temperature, pressure andhumidity. Because of this, powder ingredients like flour are inparticular more accurately measured by weight than by volume. Thevolumetric measurement of liquids has other sources of inaccuracy. Theshape of the target container, the viewing angle of the user, and thesurface tension of the liquid can easily cause a 20% variation whenvisually judging what is “full” for small amounts of liquid. Weighingingredients is the most reliable and consistent form of measuring, andit is the preferred method when it comes to using culinary ratios.

The standard digital scale can measure in metric or imperial units (alsoreferred to as the U.S. customary units or avoirdupois units). A scalemeasuring a liquid detects weight, but some are configured to report theamount detected in volume units such as milliliters or fluid ounces(defined as 1/16 of a pint or 1/128 of a gallon in the US customaryunits system). However, this assumes the liquid is water or has asimilar volume / weight ratio (density) as water. Some liquids havedensities that are different from water, which can throw off theaccuracy of using a scale to determine volume. For example, onemilliliter is one gram of water and 30 grams of water is approximately 1fluid ounce. The specific gravity of water is 1.00 (specific gravity isthe ratio of density of fluid in question to the density of water). Thespecific gravity of simple syrup is typically 1.33. If a recipe callsfor a 1 fluid ounce of simple syrup, weighing out one ounce of simplesyrup will be rather inaccurate unless the scale knows the specificgravity of the fluid it is weighing and calculates fluid ouncesaccordingly.

Using a scale to maintain ratios can be especially challenging forstandard cocktail recipes, which typically specify volume measurements.As an example a classic margarita recipe calls for the followingingredients:

60 ml tequila (2 fluid oz.)

30 ml Cointreau (1 fluid oz.)

23 ml fresh Lime Juice (¾ fluid oz.)

The specific gravity for each ingredient is approximately:

Tequila (0.95)

Cointreau (1.04)

Lime Juice (1.4)

To measure a correct ratio by weight, the specific gravity of eachingredient must be considered. A scale assuming the specific gravity ofwater to measure ingredients would yield:

60 grams tequila=68.01 ml=(2.3 fluid oz)

30 grams Contreau=29.0 ml=(0.98 fluid oz)

23 grams fresh lime juice=13.6 ml=(0.46 fluid oz)

This would result in significantly different ratios of ingredients thanthe original recipe and would not taste the same. A correct measurementincorporating the specific gravity of each ingredient would measure thefollowing:

57 grams Tequila=(2 fluid oz.)

31.2 grams Cointreau=(1 fluid oz.)

32.2 grams Lime Juice=(¾ fluid oz.)

The standard digital kitchen scale typically has a “tare” button. Thisis used to subtract the current weight on the smart scale 102, settingthe current measured weight to zero. Using this button allows the weightof a containing vessel (like a bowl or glass) to be eliminated whenmeasuring an ingredient. Using this button sequentially to build amulti-step recipe allows each ingredient to be measured independently asit is added.

This is a useful system and minimizes the use of containers. However, itdoes not have any awareness of the ingredients being measured orspecific actions of the recipe. What if you make a mistake reading arecipe? Let's say a recipe asks for 70 grams of grape juice and 100grams of apple juice and the user puts them in backwards (70 grams ofapple juice and 100 grams of grape juice). It can be difficult to fixthis, especially in the context of the entire recipe, where the measuredamount for each ingredient must now be precisely altered to maintain aproper ratio.

Another problem is scaling a recipe. Simple scaling is practicable inone's head when doubling (2×) or halving (½) the recipe. However, otherscaling changes, like making 30% less, or 1.75 times more, become morecomplicated. The common digital kitchen scale offers no assistance here.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments,but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in whichlike references denote similar elements, and in which:

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of theinvention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explainthe principles and implementations of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the culinary ratio system with a one-waydata connection from the smart scale to the smart device.

FIG. 2 shows a button pad on the smart scale.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the culinary ratio system with a two-waydata connection from the smart scale to the smart device.

FIG. 4 shows a display on the smart scale.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the culinary ratio system 100 that uses anaudio jack connection between the smart scale and smart device.

FIG. 6 shows a basic margarita recipe in traditional recipe form as itwould typically be presented in a recipe book.

FIG. 7 shows the same basic margarita recipe displayed by the culinaryratio system in an interactive form called a build column.

FIG. 8 shows how a recipe can be scaled with the culinary ratio system.

FIG. 9 shows how the build column changes when different measurementunits are selected.

FIG. 10 shows the build column at the beginning of assembling a culinarycombination.

FIG. 11 shows the build column of FIG. 10 in which the recipe hasadvanced to the next recipe block.

FIG. 12 illustrates how the build column shows progress of an ingredientbeing added and measured.

FIG. 13 shows a completed ingredient step.

FIG. 14 is a graphical representation of a dead-band that extends belowand above the target amount.

FIG. 15 shows a graphical representation of an off-center dead-band.

FIG. 16 shows advancement to the next recipe block representing the nextstep in the recipe.

FIG. 17 shows an example of how the user can choose the activeingredient.

FIG. 18 shows how the culinary ratio is maintained by automaticallytracking ingredient amounts that go beyond their dead-bands.

FIG. 19 shows the build column displaying an ingredient event.

FIG. 20 shows how a user can correct a mistaken ingredient event.

FIG. 21 shows an ingredient history table before edit and the ingredienthistory table after edit.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show the build column 112 displayed on a tabletcomputer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before beginning a detailed description of the subject invention,mention of the following is in order. When appropriate, like referencematerials and characters are used to designate identical, corresponding,or similar components in different figures. The figures associated withthis disclosure typically are not drawn with dimensional accuracy toscale, i.e., such drawings have been drafted with a focus on clarity ofviewing and understanding rather than dimensional accuracy.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations described herein are shown and described. It will, ofcourse, be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madein order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliancewith application and business related constraints, and that thesespecific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from onedeveloper to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such adevelopment effort might be complex and time-consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Use of directional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below”, “infront of,” “behind,” etc. are intended to describe the positions and/ororientations of various components of the invention relative to oneanother as shown in the various Figures and are not intended to imposelimitations on any position and/or orientation of any embodiment of theinvention relative to any reference point external to the reference.

The culinary ratio system 100 represents a significant advance intechnology assisted cooking and mixology. As shown in the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-6, the culinary ratio system 100 has a smart scale 102, a smartdevice 104 (computing device) and a communication connection 105 therebetween. Examples of the smart device 104 include a personal computerand mobile device such as a tablet computer or a mobile phone. Thecommunication connection 105 can be wired or wireless and may be one-wayor two-way. A smart scale 102 using a two-way link with a smart device104 provides even more functionality.

The culinary ratio system 100 has a software app on the smart device 104which is configured to receive real-time information from the smartscale 102. The app has access to information regarding actions,ingredients, and target amounts involved in a recipe. The app presents auser with actions to be performed and ingredients to be added.

The app is configured to assist the user in maintaining the culinaryratios of a recipe. The app is configured to accept input so that a usercan change the overall serving size for the recipe at any time and thetarget amounts of each ingredient are automatically re-calculated anddisplayed. If too much of one ingredient is added, the app detects thisand helps the user maintain the proper ratios. The number of servings isrecalculated and displayed along with new target amounts for all otheringredients.

The culinary ratio system 100 has one or more graphical displays to showthe real-time amount for any ingredient being added and may also showwhich ingredients have been added, which are left to be added, whichactions have been performed, and which have still to be performed. Inthe preferred embodiment, there is a scale display 108 that is part ofthe smart scale 102 and a smart device display 109 that is part of thesmart device 104. Both may be used for displaying information aboutrecipe ingredients. Other embodiments may use only one of thesedisplays.

In the preferred embodiment, the smart scale 102 has a button pad 110(see FIG. 2) that can provide additional information for the app. Buttonpresses can be sent to the app and used to invoke functions like: Changeunits; Next ingredient; Go back; Pause/Resume; and Adjust Ratio. Thesmart device 104 is also configured to provide a way for the user toprovide information or enter commands to the app, such as a mouse, akeyboard or touch screen functionality in the smart device display 109.

The scale display 108 (see FIG. 4) can display real-time information foreach ingredient including: a current ingredient indicator 132 showingthe name of current ingredient; a connection status indicator 134showing the connection status with the smart device 104; a measurementprogress indicator 136 (such as a bar graph) showing an amount of thecurrent ingredient added proportional to its target amount; a targetamount indicator 138 showing the target amount for the currentingredient; and a measured amount indicator 140 showing the measuredamount of the current ingredient.

The smart scale 102 may have lights and audio that can be used to helpinform the user when pouring/adding an ingredient. This may be easierfor some users when pouring—it allows them to look at the smart scale102 instead of a smart device display 109. For example, the color of anLED can slowly change from green to red as an ingredient is added andapproaches its target amount. Audio prompts from the smart device can beplayed though the smart scale 102 to call out ingredients and progress.Timers can also be started for actions requiring timing. These timerscan be displayed on either the smart device 104 or the smart scale 102.An optional microphone in the smart scale 102 or the smart device 104can be used for voice prompts/commands like “Next”, “Start Timer”, etc.

One-Way Communications Connections

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the culinary ratio system 100 with aone-way data connection from the smart scale 102 to the smart device104. This connection can be wired or wireless. Data transferred andfunctions enabled for this configuration include: Real-time scale data;Button events; and Container presence.

Real-time scale data. Since there is a way for the smart device 104 toreceive real-time data from the smart scale 102 in this configuration,the app on the smart device 104 performs all the necessary tareoperations and unit calculations. The scale display 108 may simply showa “connected” message or its own independent weight information.

Button events (FIG. 2). Button presses or capacitive sensor touches onbutton pad 110 of the smart scale 102 are detected and sent to the smartdevice 104 in real-time. Some possible button functions include: UnitSelection, Tare, Next, Back, Pause, Resume, and Serving Size.

Container presence. The presence of a container can be detected by thesmart scale 102 either by weight or by means of a sensor and thisinformation sent to the smart device 104.

Two-Way Communications Connection

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a culinary ratio system 100 with a smartscale 102 using two-way communication with a smart device 104. Thisconnection can be wired or wireless. A two-way communications connectionhas more options for synchronization and culinary workflow enhancement.Data transferred and functions enabled for this configuration include:Real-time scale data; Button events; Container presence; Scale display;Measurement/Unit Synchronization; Audio; LEDs; Buttons; and Microphone.

Scale Display (FIG. 4). In embodiments with a two-way communicationsconnection, the scale display 108 can be synchronized and controlled bythe app. Possible information displayed includes: Name of the currentingredient; Target amount of current ingredient; Amount/weight neededfor the current ingredient (not shown in example); Real-time progress ofmeasurement (graphical and/or numeric); Measured amount of currentingredient; Connection status with Smart Device; Measurement Units; andServing Size/Scaling factor.

Measurement/Unit Synchronization. Because the smart device 104 can sendcommands to the smart scale 102, either the smart scale 102 or the smartdevice 104 can perform actions like “tare”. These actions can besynchronized with the recipe. Units and measurements can be synchronizedin real-time.

Audio. In some embodiments, the smart scale 102 has a speaker (notshown) for playing audio prompts and instructions. These commands may begenerated by and played from the app. The audio connection between thesmart scale 102 and the smart device 104 may be digital or analog.

LEDs. In some embodiments, the smart scale 102 has LEDs (not shown). TheLEDs on the smart scale 102 can be controlled by the app for real-timefeedback. This control can be any combination of the following:Blinking/Pulsing; Brightness; Color; and individual LED controlledseparately.

Container presence. The presence of a container can be detected by thesmart scale 102 either sensing the weight of the container or by using adifferent type of sensor. Information of the presence of the containermay be sent to the app on the smart device 104.

Buttons (FIG. 2). Button presses or capacitive sensor touches on thebutton pad 110 can be detected and sent to the smart device 104 inreal-time. These buttons can be used to control the app directly. Somepossible button functions include: Unit Selection; Tare; Next; Back;Pause; Resume; Serving Size/Scale; Start/Stop Timer; and Adjust Ratio.

Microphone. In some embodiments, the smart scale 102 has a microphone(not shown) that can record voice commands from the user and send themto the app for processing. A microphone/speaker combination on the smartscale 102 can be used to accomplish hands-free voice links with anotherremote user (like a phone call) during cooking. The audio connection forthe microphone to the smart device 104 can be analog or digital. Voicecommands could include: “Pause”; “Resume”; “Next”; “Back”; and “StartTimer”.

Wired Connection Example: Audio Jack

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the culinary ratio system 100 that uses anaudio jack connection and associated communication protocols instead ofUSB or other standard or custom protocols. As smart devices become morepopular it is increasingly difficult to support wired peripheraldevices. This is due to the proliferation of different connectors ondevices. The only standardized connector across the vast majority ofdevices is the headphone/microphone port, more commonly called an audiojack 164. This is a four-connector audio jack 164 that has: Ground;Microphone In; Left Audio Out; and Right Audio Out.

The smart scale 102 sends real-time data as analog audio data on themicrophone channel, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Software in the appfilters and decodes the data. An audio backchannel sends simple commandsand data back to the smart scale 102 using one of the audio channels.The other audio channel can be used to play audio through a speaker inthe smart scale 102.

Using the Culinary Ratio System

To aid the user in following a recipe and measuring multiple ingredientsthe culinary ratio system 100 presents an organized view of tasks. Majorfunctions of the culinary ratio system 100 include:

-   -   Display ingredients and actions in a logical order for recipe        assembly.    -   Display progress of recipe construction.    -   Display target containers and tools as needed in recipe        construction.    -   Help the user to maintain proper ratios during construction,        including how best to fix any errors.    -   Allow the user to easily scale and adjust the recipe.    -   Allow easy and accurate measurement units change/selection.    -   Allow for easy substitutions.

The culinary ratio system 100 displays ingredients and actions of arecipe in a logical and intuitive order. FIG. 6 shows a basic margaritarecipe in traditional recipe form 114 as it would typically be presentedin a recipe book. FIG. 7 shows the same basic margarita recipe displayedby the culinary ratio system 100 in an interactive form called a buildcolumn 112. The build column 112 clearly displays information such asserving size, actions, ingredients, containers, and recommended order ofactions and ingredients to make the recipe. All of this information iseasily seen with a simple visual scan of the build column 112. In thepreferred embodiment, the build column 112 is displayed on the smartdevice display 109. For example, FIGS. 22 and 23 show the build column112 displayed on a tablet computer 162. Other embodiments of theculinary ratio system 200 may display ingredients and actions of arecipe in formats other than the build column 112, using formats such aspie charts, wheels, inclines, ladders or the like.

FIG. 7 shows some of the build column 112 features. A serving size block115 is displayed, typically at the bottom. A target serving sizeindicator 116 is displayed with the serving size block 115, displaying atarget serving size of the recipe. The target serving size is initiallythe serving size called for by the recipe, but the culinary ratio system100 allows the user to change target serving size. This target servingsize can be in absolute units or relative units. When in absolute units,the target serving size is the amount per standard serving called for bythe recipe. When in relative units, the target service size is a scalingfactor, representing the number of standard servings. In someembodiments, the app allows the user to switch serving size mode betweenabsolute and relative serving size units. In the preferred embodiment,the default is the relative serving size units.

The build column 112 has one or more recipe blocks 119, representingsteps of the recipe. In the depicted embodiment, the build column 112 isshown as comprising recipe blocks 119 that are stacked vertically.However, in other embodiments, the recipe blocks 119 may be arranged inother ways, such as in a horizontal row or in montage. The recipe blocksmay be of various types, including recipe action blocks 120 and recipeingredient blocks 122. A recipe action block 120 is associated with anaction step of the recipe. Information related to the associated actionstep is displayed with the recipe action block 120. Such informationtypically includes a text description of the action step. A recipeaction block 120 can also include a timer icon 124 for an action thatthe recipe calls to be performed for a specific length of time, likebaking, simmering, or mixing. The timer icon may be associated with atimer function of the app that can be set to play an audio alarm or sendan email or text. The timer function may be invoked by the user orautomatically by the app.

A recipe ingredient block 122 is associated with a step of adding one ofthe ingredients of the recipe. In some embodiments, each recipeingredient block 122 has a size based on the target amount of theingredient in the recipe. In some embodiments, each recipe ingredientblock 122 has a small, medium, or large size based on the target amountof the ingredient relative to the other ingredients in the recipe.Optionally, the same size recipe block could be used for all ingredientsand actions. As each recipe block becomes active, it could expand to alarger block with more information, and then shrink as the next recipeblock is activated. An ingredient icon 129 can also be displayed with arecipe ingredient block 122 to indicate the ingredient's type like fruitjuice, powder, or liquid, or to indicate a particular ingredient.

In the depicted embodiment, recipe construction is displayed from bottomto top. The first action in the build column 112 of FIG. 7 is setting ashaker on the smart scale 102. On the right, target container icons 118for each build phase are placed in a chronological relationship with thebuild column 112.

FIG. 8 shows how a recipe can be scaled with the culinary ratio system.If the user selects the serving size block 115, a serving size pop-up126 appears, allowing the user to change/edit the target serving size ofthe recipe, changing either the amount or scaling factor, depending onwhich serving size mode the app is running. After a new serving size isselected, the target amounts of the ingredients of the recipe arechanged in real-time showing the new target amounts. Changing the targetserving size can also cause the target containers to be changed tolarger, smaller, or more containers.

Another way to scale a recipe with the culinary ratio system 100 is toedit the amount used by one ingredient. The user selects one of theingredients and then selects the target amount for the ingredient, whichwill cause the app to bring up an amount editor. The user simply entersa new target amount for this ingredient. The app changes the scalingfactor of the recipe accordingly to maintain the culinary ratios. Thenthe target amounts for the other ingredients in rest of the build column112 are automatically updated according to the scaling factor.

One more way to adjust the scale of a recipe with the culinary ratiosystem 100 is simply to add a larger amount for one of the ingredientsduring assembly of the recipe. The app may automatically change thescaling factor of the recipe if the measured amount of an ingredientexceeds the target amount for the ingredient, or in some embodiments, anupper threshold set slightly above the target amount. The app changesthe scaling factor of the recipe accordingly to maintain the culinaryratios.

FIG. 9 shows how the build column 112 changes when different measurementunits are selected. A measurement unit selection icon 128 is displayedwith the build column 112. In this case, the measurement units havechanged from a volume unit (fluid ounces) to a weight unit (grams). Thebuild column immediately updates the target amounts for all ingredientsto grams. For liquid ingredients, the app uses specific gravityconstants for each ingredient to calculate accurate target amounts.

FIG. 10 shows the beginning of assembling a culinary combination. Afirst recipe block 142 is active. The active status of a recipe block119 may be shown with the recipe block 119 highlighted, enlarged, or insome other enhanced manner. In this case, the first recipe block 142 isenhanced by highlighting it with a special color. The first recipe block142 is a recipe action block 120 representing the action of placing thefirst container on the smart scale 102. Before advancing to the nextrecipe block, any weight added to the smart scale 102 will beautomatically zeroed (commonly called a “tare”) before measuring thenext ingredient. The target container icon 118 can also be highlightedor animated or otherwise enhanced to indicate that it has been detected(see FIG. 11)

In FIG. 11, the app has advanced the recipe to the next recipe block.There are several options to trigger a recipe advance. These options canbe user selectable. Some options include: Weight-based auto-advance;Audio command advance; Recipe Block selection; and Scale buttonnavigation.

Weight-based auto-advance: This option applies to events that involve ameasureable weight change. Some examples of events include:

-   -   Placing a target container on the smart scale 102: The culinary        ratio system 100 can wait for a measureable weight change        followed by a short period of inactivity. It then performs a        “tare” and advance to the next recipe block. The user can also        adjust the period of inactivity for weight-based auto-advance.    -   Removing a target container from the smart scale 102: For this        action the culinary ratio system 100 would look for weight to be        removed from the smart scale 102. An example for this is the 5th        recipe block in FIG. 10 where the shaker will need to be removed        for mixing/shaking. The automatic timer can start once the        shaker is removed from the smart scale 102.    -   The target amount of an ingredient has been measured: Once the        culinary ratio system 100 detects that the target amount has        been achieved, followed by a short period of inactivity, it then        performs a “tare” and advances to the next recipe block. The        user can also adjust the period of inactivity for weight-based        auto-advance.

Audio command advance: A microphone may be monitored for vocal commands.The microphone may be mounted in the smart scale 102, built into thesmart device 104, or connected to the smart device 104 by some othermeans such as Bluetooth. Some examples of possible vocal commands are:

-   -   “Next”: advances to the next recipe block.    -   “Lime Juice”: advances to a specific recipe block.    -   “Back”: moves to the previous recipe block.    -   “Recalculate” or “Scale”: recalculates the overall scale of the        recipe using the current measured amount of an ingredient.    -   “Start Timer”: starts a timer.

Recipe block selection: The user can actively choose another recipeblock by interacting directly with the smart device 104 using touchscreens or pointing devices like mice.

Scale button navigation: Buttons or touch sensors on the smart scale 102can be used to advance or navigate up and down the build column. Thesebuttons could be labeled “Next” or “Previous” or simply have arrows.

FIG. 12 illustrates how the build column 112 shows progress of aningredient being added and measured. To show progress of the ingredientbeing added, a portion 145 of the activated recipe block may bedisplayed in a different manner than a remainder of the activated recipeblock, such as a different color. The portion 145 of the activatedrecipe block displayed differently may be proportional to a ratio of themeasured amount of the ingredient being added compared to its targetamount. For example, the second recipe block 144 labeled “Silver/BlancoTequila” in FIG. 12 is the activated recipe block. The second recipeblock 144 initially is completed filled with a first color (e.g. green)that indicates that it is the active recipe block. Once a minimumthreshold weight increase is detected (this threshold can be set basedon the ingredient or amount to be weighed; or adjusted by the user orrecipe author), the proportional amount measured is displayed as aportion 145 of the second recipe block 144 in a second color (e.g.yellow) from the bottom of the second recipe block 144. As the measuredamount increases, a fill-line between the first and second coloredportions of the second recipe block 144 rises. This serves a very clearvisual guide for the user. The current measured amount may also bedisplayed in the block. This numeric value reflects the current measuredamount.

FIG. 13 shows a completed ingredient step. The second recipe block 144labeled “Silver/Blanco Tequila” is filled completely. In the example,the fill color is changed to a third color (e.g. red) indicating “stop”to the user. At this point, the system can auto-advance or be advanceddirectly by the user to another recipe block.

When adding ingredients it may be too much to ask any human to add theperfect amount with double-digit accuracy. FIG. 14 is a graphicalrepresentation of a dead-band 146 that extends below and above thetarget amount. The dead-band has an upper threshold and a lowerthreshold. As the measured amount enters the dead-band, the appindicates to the user to stop pouring. As in FIG. 13, this is done byfilling the entire activated recipe block with the third color. Thisdead-band may be a simple percentage of the target amount. However, thepercentage could be framed with pre-defined minimums or maximums to makesure the measurement process is human friendly. The recipe and/or theuser may also adjust the dead-band.

For ingredients that are added by pouring it can be helpful if thedead-band is off-center and to make it easier for the user to get closeto the target amount. FIG. 15 shows a graphical representation of anoff-center dead-band 148 that has a lower threshold that is more distantfrom the target amount than is the upper threshold. This lower thresholdcould even be adjusted based on the pour rate.

FIG. 16 shows advancement to the next recipe block 119 representing thenext step in the recipe. The second recipe block 144 (“Silver/BlancoTequila”) is shown as completed, as indicated by being completely filledwith the third fill color (red, in these examples). A third recipe block150 (“Cointreau”) is the activated recipe block, as indicated by thefirst fill color (green, in these examples). Possible methods for thisadvancement are discussed with FIG. 11.

The user can choose the active ingredient at any time. FIG. 17 shows anexample of this. The user has selected a fourth recipe block 152 (“LimeJuice”) as the activated block. Lime Juice will now be added before theCointreau.

FIG. 18 shows how the culinary ratio is maintained by automaticallytracking ingredient amounts that go beyond their dead-bands. When thishappens, the entire recipe is adjusted in real-time. As the activeingredient measurement increases above the upper threshold of itsdead-band, the recipe scaling factor / serving size and the otheringredient target amounts are adjusted. Any previous complete recipeingredient block 122 will display an adjustment gap 154 at the top ofthe recipe ingredient block 122 in a different color than the rest ofthe recipe ingredient block 122. The adjustment gap 154 represents anadjustment amount for that ingredient that is the difference between thenew target amount and the old target amount. The adjustment gap 154 is aportion of the recipe ingredient block 122 that is proportional to theadjustment amount compared to the new target amount. The user can thenchoose to select previous recipe ingredient blocks 122 and add enough ofthe associated ingredient to reach the new target amount. In the exampleof FIG. 18, the user has added 1.20 oz. of Cointreau instead of thetarget amount of 1.0 oz. The app has adjusted the scaling factor of therecipe from 1.0 to 1.2 to compensate. This changes the target amounts ofthe other ingredients, including the target amount of the Tequila from2.0 oz. to 2.4 oz. The second recipe block 144 (“tequila”) is now shownwith an adjustment gap 154 in the first color (green) that indicatesthat it is the activated recipe block. The user can then add more of theassociated ingredient (“tequila”) to top it off to the new target amountof 2.4 oz.

The culinary ratio system 100 keeps an ingredient history of ingredientevents. An ingredient event is essentially any measured ingredientactivity occurring out-of-order or between periods of inactivity. Eachsignificant ingredient event is delineated graphically for the user.FIG. 19 shows such an event for the second recipe block 144 (“tequila”).Continuing the example of FIG. 18, after the target amount of the secondrecipe block 144 (“tequila”) was adjusted to 2.4 oz., the user made asecond pour of tequila. This second tequila ingredient event is recordedin the ingredient history and shown as an ingredient event region 156within the second recipe block 144 separated from the rest of the blockby a horizontal line.

The ingredient history is particularly useful for correcting mistakes.If the user accidentally added “lime juice” while the second recipeblock 144 (“tequila”) is active, this will be recorded as its owningredient event. The user can correct this mistake by selecting theingredient event region 156 related to the mistake and moving it to thefourth recipe block 152 (“Lime Juice”). This correction is shown in FIG.20.

The ingredient history is tracked in an ingredient history table. FIG.21 shows the ingredient history table before edit 158 and the ingredienthistory table after edit 160. Each entry has an ingredient and themeasured amount for that event. The history starts with the first eventand goes down chronologically. The third event lists the lime juiceevent as tequila. Once the user corrects this by dragging that amount tothe fourth recipe block 152 (“Lime Juice”), the table shows thecorrection. The total amount for any ingredient is the sum of itshistory.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications andchanges may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing fromthe scope of the claimed invention. It will, of course, be understoodthat modifications of the invention, in its various aspects, will beapparent to those skilled in the art, some being apparent only afterstudy, others being matters of routine mechanical, chemical andelectronic design. No single feature, function or property of thepreferred embodiment is essential. Other embodiments are possible, theirspecific designs depending upon the particular application. As such, thescope of the invention should not be limited by the particularembodiments herein described but should be defined only by the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for a computing device to assist a userin assembling a culinary combination according to a recipe, the recipeidentifying one or more ingredients and one or more target amounts forthe ingredients, the method comprising: receiving information from ascale; selecting a first ingredient from the one or more ingredients ofthe recipe; displaying information regarding the ingredients, includingdisplaying a name and the target amount for the first ingredient;determining an amount added to the scale based on information receivedfrom the scale; determining a measured amount of the first ingredientbased on the amount added to the scale; and transferring association,upon user command, of the amount added to the scale from the measuredamount of the first ingredient to a measured amount of a secondingredient from the one or more ingredients of the recipe.
 2. Acomputer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, whenexecuted by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps of amethod for assisting a user in assembling a culinary combinationaccording to a recipe, the recipe identifying one or more ingredientsand one or more target amounts for the ingredients, the stepscomprising: receiving information from a scale; selecting a firstingredient from the one or more ingredients of the recipe; displayinginformation regarding the ingredients, including displaying a name andthe target amount for the first ingredient; determining an amount addedto the scale based on information received from the scale; determining ameasured amount of the first ingredient based on the amount added to thescale; and transferring association, upon user command, of the amountadded to the scale from the measured amount of the first ingredient to ameasured amount of a second ingredient from the one or more ingredientsof the recipe.